Slapped cheek virus third trimester?

[mylittlepuds]

I think my toddler has had slapped cheek. It's going around here - friend's child has had it.

Anyway i'm in my third trimester. About a week and a half ago I was very ill with flu - and looking back I'm thinking I could have had it too (DS has only just got the telltale cheeks and adults generally don't get them).

I know the risk is far greater to women who are under 20 weeks. I was just wondering if anyone had had it in the latter stages of pregnancy and what the outcome was?

I haven't had it but was exposed to it at about 8 weeks... I spoke to my midwife and she said I was already immune, she said most women are and it's usually nothing to worry about. I can't remember now but pretty sure she said the risk is almost nothing after 1st trimester, but call your midwife to check.

Thanks Fairy - I think it's 50/50 immunity wise so I'm a bit worried that's what I've bloody had. Def going to ring MW Mon and get the blood tests done etc. Glad you were okay

I was exposed to slapped cheek at 18 weeks, followed by a flu-like virus. The initial blood tests showed I was not immune and I had a horrible couple of weeks waiting for the results of the tests to show whether I'd caught it or not. Fortunately I didn't catch up, despite close contact with 3 people who did.

Because I now know I'm not immune I've been advised to take extra care throughout the rest of my pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage is really only between 9 and 20 weeks but the virus can still cause hydrops at any stage of pregnancy.

Hopefully your blood tests will show you're immune, and even if you're not, it doesn't automatically mean you will have caught it. I was convinced I'd had caught it but the cold I had was simply an unfortunate co-incidence. Even if you have caught it the chances of it passing to your baby and doing any harm are v small. I know how worrying it is, but the odds are very high that you and baby will both be fine. Good luck!

Thank you petcat - I think it's just going to be a waiting game. Gah! Just don't need another worry!

Ds had this the week before dd2 arrived at 37 weeks. Dd1 and I both had symptoms about a week before but no rash. Was only when ds got the classic slapped cheeks and the all over rash a day later that we realised. Dd2 is absolutely fine, normal delivery, now a month old and no signs of any problems. We now have measles going round school, something else to worry about! We are all vaccinated thank goodness and I had it as a child so dd2 is apparently immune.

Thanks Twatty. That's reassuring. Yep - only realised what's probably gone on now he has the red cheeks. Congrats on DC2!

Do mention it to your midwife though!